NEW DELHI: The talk around Pakistan batter Babar Azam and India batting icon Virat Kohli has never fully gone away. Each time Babar hits form, piles up runs, or helps Pakistan secure a win, online chatter quickly turns to comparisons with Kohli—particularly among supporters in Pakistan. Former India cricketer Wasim Jaffer, however, has pushed back against that narrative, arguing that the hype around Babar has gone too far.
“Dekhiye, achhe player hain, isme koi shak nahi hai. Main personally unko kaafi like bhi karta hoon. Lekin mujhe lagta hai ki unko unki had se zyada hype mil gayi. Unko itna chadha diya gaya ki unki comparison Virat Kohli se hone lagi, unko ‘king’ bola jane laga,” Jaffer said in a video shared on his social media account.
He added that the constant linking of Babar to Kohli brings its own strain. “Jab aapko baar-baar Virat Kohli se compare kiya jata hai, media aapko ‘king’ bulata hai, toh pressure automatically aata hai. Mujhe lagta hai kahin na kahin unhone try kiya Virat jaisa banne ka – ya us tarah perform karne ka jaise Virat ne Indian team ke liye kiya. Lekin Virat, Virat hai – is generation ke greatest players me se ek. Ye unnecessary comparison unpe pressure banata gaya,” Jaffer said.
Babar had recently endured a difficult spell, struggling to find runs. But he made a major comeback in the Pakistan Super League, striking a century for Peshawar Zalmi against the Quetta Gladiators. He reached his hundred in just 52 deliveries.
Jaffer also referenced Babar’s earlier struggles at international level. In his last appearance for Pakistan at the 2026 T20 World Cup, the batter endured a rough outing with the bat—one factor among others behind Pakistan’s disappointing tournament. Across six matches, Babar managed 91 runs, averaging 22.75 and posting a strike rate of 112.34, as Pakistan were unable to get past the Super Eights stage.
When asked why Babar’s form dipped despite his reputation as an exceptionally gifted batter and a well-known figure in Pakistan cricket, Jaffer pointed to two main issues. “Mere hisaab se do cheezein thi – ek toh overhype aur comparison, aur doosra captaincy. Captain ke taur par wo us tarah ki team build nahi kar paaye jaisi karni chahiye thi. Unke paas chances the, team finals tak bhi gayi – World Cup final, Asia Cup final – lekin wo Pakistan cricket ko next level par consistently nahi le ja paaye,” he said.
He ended by stressing that expectations have played a crucial role in shaping how Babar’s performances are judged. “Aaj bhi, without a doubt, wo Pakistan ke best batters me se ek hain. Talent aur class dono hai unme. Bas expectations aur pressure ka handling thoda better hota, toh picture aur alag ho sakti thi,” Jaffer added.
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